Susie K. Jenkins

The Heavenly Hosts have gained a cheerful angel, but here on Earth, we have lost one of the most joyful, loving, and selfless souls we’ve ever known—a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend whose life was a true gift to all who knew her.

Susan “Susie” Kaye Jenkins, 67, of Wild Peach, Texas, passed away on July 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Conroe, Texas, on October 28, 1957, to Wilber Lee McCrorey and Zelda Mann McCrorey, Susie was raised in Brazoria County surrounded by siblings, country roads, and a wide assortment of pets—including a mischievous raccoon known to root around in her and her sisters' hair while they slept.

She graduated early from Columbia High School in 1975. Working at her after-school job at Brazoria Dairy Mart, Susie learned to perfectly swirl soft serve ice cream cones–a skill that amazed her daughters as little girls. In 1977, she began a nearly twenty-year career at Dow Chemical in Freeport, working in various roles, perhaps most notably as one of the earliest female Operators at the plant—so early that the facility didn’t even have women’s restrooms. She built relationships with colleagues and knew how to have fun, singing in Dow’s Christmas caroling group and playing on the softball and bowling leagues.

After retiring from Dow to focus on raising her daughters, Susie began a second career working with children as a teacher’s aide at Wild Peach and West Columbia Elementaries, where she supported students with special needs—many wheelchair-bound or living with disabilities. She cared for them with unmatched patience, compassion, and love. Inspired to take her caregiving further, Susie decided to become a nurse. Shortly after being accepted into the nursing program at Brazosport College, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. That didn’t stop Susie. She continued through the program while undergoing radiation therapy, earning her credentials as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and beating breast cancer. As the Sweeny Elementary School Nurse, she lovingly cared for pre-K through second-grade students—always dressed in colorful character scrubs and ready with a warm smile, brightening the lives of the children and coworkers around her.

Susie met her husband, Clay Jenkins, while working in the tool room at Dow. Clay still remembers the moment he realized he loved her—he didn’t want to wait another minute to tell her. Without hesitation, he drove to Conroe in the middle of the night, where she was visiting her mother, to tell her in person. After several years of dating, they married and built a life together, grounded in loyalty and deep devotion to making sure their daughters had everything they needed to thrive. They shared many adventures over the years, but one of the most memorable was a road trip out west that took them through canyons, national parks, and scenic destinations from New Mexico to Oregon. Susie especially enjoyed staying in a hotel along the coast in Pacifica, where they could hear the waves crashing against the rocks.

As a mom, Susie gave her time freely and joyfully—ensuring her girls had every opportunity to participate in activities they loved. Whether it was horseback riding lessons, learning piano, playing softball, or completing school projects, she was always there with support and encouragement, even after a full day’s work. She kept the pantry stocked with the best snacks for visiting friends,many of whom adored her just as much as her daughters did. Susie let her kids slide through muddy garden rows, orchestrated shaving cream fights, made costumes for school plays, and often turned the living room into a stage—hanging a sheet across the room so she and Clay could watch their girls perform.

She was also the best “Nana” to her grandchildren: Preslie Ward and Evette, Daschl, and Cooper Guin. From bedtime stories to making Christmas magical, she gave her all to her grandkids—always. She helped raise them with the same boundless love and care she poured into her daughters, offering hands-on help through their early years and creating countless cherished memories.

Susie loved the beach and especially collecting seashells during family trips to Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Surfside. She had a fondness for unique, playful earrings and fun jewelry that matched her joyful personality. Always creative and hands-on, Susie was a DIYer before Pinterest existed. She designed creative birthday cakes for her girls, cut her daughters’ hair (with memorable outcomes!), and even groomed the family dog herself—with endearing results. She once discovered original hardwood floors under carpet in their home and took on the massive project of refinishing them entirely on her own—stripping glue, sanding, and restoring them to beauty.

A woman of strong faith, Susie’s love for Jesus was the guiding light of her life. Over the years, she taught Vacation Bible School, participated in Bible study groups, and stayed active in her church community—first at First Assembly of God in Brazoria and later at Columbia Methodist Church in West Columbia. She made time to visit and encourage church members in nursing homes—even after receiving her pancreatic cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment.

Susie was deeply committed to her family and friends, always showing up when needed. She remembered every birthday and anniversary with a card or note and never missed a chance to tell someone she loved them. She didn’t need a spotlight to be extraordinary—she just loved well and lived fully, and that was more than enough.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilber and Zelda McCrorey, and her in-laws, Bobby and Amanda Smith, Rod Jeffers and Mike Dempsey.

Susie is survived by her husband, Ross Clay Jenkins; her daughters, Chelsea Guin and husband Matthew and Tiffany Jenkins and fiancé Jacob Bradley; her grandchildren, Preslie Ward and Evette, Daschl, and Cooper Guin; her siblings, Gary McCrorey and wife Theresa, Wendy Lee and fiancé Jason Dubcak, Emory McCrorey and wife Cindy and Linda Seth; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Susie’s Life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2 at Columbia Methodist Church in West Columbia, TX, officiated by Pastor Dan Conway. Visitation will be held from 10:00–11:00 a.m. prior to the service, and a catered reception will follow in the church hall. A private cremation will take place afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Susie by doing what she did best—extend kindness to someone in need, love your people deeply, and never miss a chance to dance.